Waterloo: TechWorks/Riverloop Exposition Center

[UofIowaWaterloo]

Has anybody seen any progress on these two projects? Last I checked, the City had acquired and demolished the entire block (besides the former Chemlawn building) for the expo center. It looked as if it was ready for construction early this spring. Also, any news on TechWorks? What is the site looking like?

[WaterlooDave]

There was a big press conference held yesterday to announce the next phase of the former John Deere manufacturing site redevelopment. At the press conference, City officials and others announced the redevelopment of the site to include a 100 room hotel, office space, John Deere training facility, a John Deere Museum (previously announced). The private developer in this is Rodney Blackwell of Davenport.

The full article with some photos are at this link: http://wcfcourier.com/business/local/million-plan-unveiled-for-techworks/article_528da0a2-f040-5417-90eb-80511ba84a22.html

$50 million plan unveiled for TechWorks

By JIM OFFNER, [email protected] | Posted: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 11:05 am | (13) Comments

WATERLOO, Iowa --- For local officials, Cedar Valley TechWorks has been the center of their dream of rebuilding downtown Waterloo.

That dream took a major step toward reality today with the announcement of a $50 million project that will transform the 40-acre parcel of land on the western edge of downtown into a center for business, manufacturing and tourism, according to officials......

[Mastermind]

Has this been completed?

[WaterlooDave]

Has this been completed?

The "tall" building on the left is partially occupied in rehabilitated space (one floor) by UNI's National Ag-based Lubricant Center. The rest is what was the subject of the announcement this week. What is new about this announcement is the a private developer, Rodney Blackwell (FDP Properties, Davenport) has entered into a development agreement to develop the building on the right, including a 100 room hotel.

What else is new is John Deere's commitment to use the two story building on the left for a training center and the City of Waterloo agreeing to bond for $12.75 million dollars for related improvements.

[DMRyan]

John Deere is a hell of a company. They could've left these buildings to rot with the city on the hook to have to demo them someday, but instead choose to reinvent the space and stay committed to Waterloo. They've already had the largest impact in redeveloping downtown Moline, so I think it's real special they also choose to invest these kinds of dollars in another community they have a presence in, despite it not being their HQ city.

This has to be the biggest development news out of downtown Waterloo in quite some time, and it will be in conjunction with the SportsPlex and a new (albeit lackluster) downtown riverfront housing proposal, along with whatever else I may be missing. Too bad the Isle couldn't have chosen downtown, it would've really given it an infusion of visitors that could use the new riverwalk and other improvements that have happened there. Seems like there's starting to be a good synergy of things happening that can maybe contribute to shaking off the rustbelt image of Waterloo over the coming decade.

[DMRyan]

Also, I think this development can be considered a success if some of the tech companies that would normally locate in a suburban office park in Cedar Falls start choosing to set up shop here instead.

[DMRyan]

New money is coming in to get the Techworks off the ground. The Iowa Economic Development Authority is sending $4 million to help get the business incubator/office space up and running.

Does anyone else know the status of the remainder of the projects, including the hotel and John Deere Museum? Things seem eerily quiet.